Diaper bag with lower blanket pocket

ABSTRACT

A diaper bag that includes a main bag structure, a main top opening, two front and rear side walls, two opposite end walls, and a flat bottom surface. Integrally attached to the front and rear sidewalls are two upper flaps which when folded inward over the main top opening, closing the bag structure. Optional hook and loop connectors or magnets are attached to the overlapping adjacent edges to hold the lid flaps in a closed position. Located under the bottom surface of the main bag structure is a horizontally aligned blanket pocket designed to hold a blanket folded into a flat, rectangular or square configuration. Attached to one edge of the pocket along one side is a zipper designed to allow the blanket pocket to be selectively opened or closed. Disposed inside the bag&#39;s main cavity and over the bottom surface is an optional support panel designed to support items placed inside the bag.

This is a utility patent application which claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/676,421 filed on Apr. 29, 2005.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to diaper bags and, more particularly to diaper bags capable of transporting a baby blanket.

2. Description of the Related Art

When transporting a baby outside the home, it is common to bring a diaper bag filled with a large variety of items, such as diapers, changing pads, additional clothing, food for a baby and one or more baby blankets. Often one baby blanket is used to cover the baby while another baby blanket is rolled up and stored inside the diaper bag and used in the event the first baby blanket becomes soiled.

Because so many items are carried in the diaper bag, it is important that the diaper bag be packed in an organized, compact manner so that items may be easily inserted and removed from the bag. It is also important that dry items on a diaper bag, such as blankets and clothing, be isolated from items that are wet or may leak.

When changing a baby's diaper at a remote location, the baby is typically laid on his or her back on a changing table. The mother typically stands next to the baby and places one hand on the baby to prevent the baby from rolling off the changing table. The other hand is normally free and able to reach into the diaper bag placed nearby and grab the items that are needed. Ideally, the diaper bag should stand vertically upright by itself and have a wide, top opening that allows items to be easily removed from the bag with one hand.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a lightweight diaper bag that can stand upright and has a wide top opening that allows items to be easily inserted and removed from the bag.

It is another object of the present invention to provide such a diaper bag that stores a blanket and a changing pad in separate pockets located along the bottom surface and sides of the bag, respectively.

These and other objects are met by the diaper bag disclosed herein that includes a main bag structure that has a main top opening with front and rear side walls, two opposite end walls and a flat bottom. Integrally attached to the upper edges of the front and rear side walls are two lid flaps which fold inward over the main top opening of the bag structure. Means for connecting the two lid flaps in a folded position over the main top opening are provided. In one embodiment, the means for connecting the two lid flaps in a folded position are hook and loop connectors attached to the flaps overlapping adjacent edges. In another embodiment, the means for connecting the two lid flaps is a pair of magnets attached to the overlapping edges.

Located inside the bag structure is a flat bottom surface with a horizontally aligned, isolated pocket formed thereon, designed to hold a folded blanket. Attached to the edges of the pocket is a zipper designed to allow the pocket to be selectively opened or closed.

Formed on the sides of the bag structure is a changing pad pocket.

Disposed inside the main cavity and over the bottom surface of the bag's main storage cavity is an optional support panel designed to support items placed inside the bag. Located on one end wall is an end pocket with an inner insulated layer designed to keep the temperature of an object placed in the pocket cold or warm during transport. An elastic strap attached around the top edge of the outer pocket thereby enabling it to be selectively opened or closed. Formed on the end surfaces of the end wall are two optional side pockets designed to hold various items, such as diapers, pins, swabs, etc. Also, located inside the bag's main storage cavity are two removable small bags designed to hold various items intended to be isolated from the items in the main cavity. Formed on the outside surfaces of the front and rear sidewalls are two optional narrow pockets designed to hold small or narrow items.

In the first embodiment, two straps are attached to the opposite sides of the bag that allow the bag to be transported by hand or over the shoulder. In a second embodiment, the two straps are replaced by a single strap that is centrally and longitudinally aligned and attached to the bags opposite end walls.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the diaper bag.

FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view of the diaper bag shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional, side elevational view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a sectional, top plan view taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the diaper bag.

FIG. 6 is a partial, sectional, end elevational view the diaper bag shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is an end elevational view of the second embodiment of the diaper bag showing with a cellular telephone or a baby bottle being stored in the end pocket.

FIG. 8 is a sectional side elevational view of the two overlapping lid flaps each with a stiffening panel located therein.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

Shown in the accompanying FIGS. 1-8 there is shown a diaper bag 10 specifically designed to carry items needed for caring for a baby. The diaper bag 10 includes a main bag structure 12 that includes a main top opening 13, a front side wall 14, a rear side wall 16, two opposite end walls 18, 20 and a flat bottom surface 22. Integrally attached to the front and rear side walls 14, 16 are two longitudinally aligned lid flaps 24, 26 which when folded inward toward the bag structure's longitudinal axis, overlap along their edges to fully cover the main top opening 13. Optional means for connecting the two lid flaps 24, 26 together in a folded position over the main top opening 13 is provided. In the first embodiment, shown in FIGS. 1-4, the means for connecting are hook and loop connectors 40A, 40B that are attached to the overlapping adjacent edges to hold the two lid flaps 24, 26. In a second embodiment, shown in FIGS. 5-7, the closing means is a pair of magnets 130, 140 attached to the adjacent overlapping surfaces.

Located under the bottom surface 24 is a horizontally aligned blanket pocket 55 designed to hold a folded blanket 90. The pocket 55 extends the entire length and width of the bag structure 12. The pocket 55 is a separate, isolated water-resistant cavity formed under the bottom surface 24 of the main bag structure 12. Formed on the front side wall 14 of the bag structure 12 is a longitudinally aligned pocket opening 60. Sewn or adhesively attached to the surrounding edges of the pocket opening 60 is a slide connector strip 62 with a slide connector 63 connected thereto. During use, the slide connector 63 is selectively moved to open or close the pocket 55.

In the first embodiment the lid flaps 24, 26 are made of flexible material identical or similar to the material used to manufacture the side and end walls of the bag structure 12. In an alternative embodiment of the bag structure 12, shown in FIG. 8, a stiffening panel 70, 72 is placed inside each lid flap 24, 26 respectively, which straightens the lid flap 24, 26 thus making it more rigid and easier to close and open.

Disposed inside the blanket pocket 55 is a folded blanket 90 which may be sold separately or as a kit with the diaper bag 10.

Disposed inside the bag's main cavity 50 and over bottom surface 24 is an optional support panel 65 designed to support items placed inside the bag 12. The support panel 65 is made of sufficiently rigid material to support items over the blanket pocket 55 during use. Located on one end wall 18, 20 of the main bag structure 12 is at least one optional end pocket 82 with an inner insulated layer 83 designed to maintain its temperature during transport. The end pocket 82 is ideal for transporting a cellular telephone 160 or a baby bottle 170. In the first embodiment, a tie strap 200 is used to close the end pocket 82. In the second embodiment, an elastic edge 205 is formed around the pocket 82.

Also formed on the inside surfaces of the front and rear sidewalls 14, 16 are two longitudinally aligned interior pockets 86, 88. Also disposed inside the main cavity 50 are two removable small bags 84, 87. In the preferred embodiment, the two removable bags 84, 87 are attached to a strap 85, 91 and clip 92, 93, respectively, that allows the user to selectively connect the bags 84,87 to the inside surface of the main bag structure 12.

Formed on either the front or rear surface is an elongated side pocket 110 designed to hold a changing pad 115. The side pocket 110 includes a top opening 112 that is covered by aside flap 113.

In the first embodiment, two straps 32, 36 are provided that allow the bag 10 to be transported by hand or over the shoulder. Both straps 32, 36 are attached at their opposite end to the front and rear walls 14, 16, respectively. A secondary handle strap 38 is provided that wraps around the two straps 32, 36 to form a handle. In the second embodiment, the two straps 32, 36 are replaced with a single strap 120 attached at its opposite ends 122, 124 to the end wall 16 of the bag structure 12.

In the preferred embodiment, the bag structure 12 measures approximately 12 to 14 inches in length, 9 to 12 inches in width, 9 to 10 inches in height. The blanket pocket 55 is approximately 12 to 14 inches in length, 9 to 12 inches in width, and 1½ to 3 inches in width. The top opening 13 is approximately 12 10 14 inches in length and 9 to 12 inches in width. The lid flaps 24, 26 measure approximately 12 to 14 inches in length and 5 to 6 inches in width.

In compliance with the statute, the invention described herein has been described in language more or less specific as to structural features. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown, since the means and construction shown is comprised only of the preferred embodiments for putting the invention into effect. The invention is therefore claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the amended claims, appropriately interpreted in accordance with the doctrine of equivalents. 

1. A diaper bag, comprising: a. a main bag structure that includes a top opening, two front and rear sidewalls, two opposite end walls, and a flat bottom surface; b. two lid flaps disposed over said top opening of said main bag structure; c. a horizontally aligned blanket pocket located under said bottom surface; d. a means for closing said blanket pocket; and, e. a blanket located inside said blanket pocket.
 2. The diaper bag, as recited in claim 1, further including at least one side pocket formed inside said main bag structure.
 3. The diaper bag, as recited in claim 2, further including at least one exterior side pocket formed on said bag structure.
 4. The diaper bag, as recited in claim 3, further including a changing pad disposed inside said side pocket.
 5. The diaper bag, as recited in claim 1, further including at least one end pocket formed on the outside surface of said end wall of said main bag structure.
 6. The diaper bag, as recited in claim 5, further including an elastic edge formed on said end pocket.
 7. The diaper bag, as recited in claim 6, further including a tie strap formed on said end pocket.
 8. The diaper bag, as recited in claim 1, further including at least one removable bag located inside said main bag structure.
 9. The diaper bag, as recited in claim 1, further including a means for closing said lid flaps over said top opening on said main bag structure.
 10. The diaper bag, as recited in claim 9, wherein said means for closing said lid flaps is a pair of magnets.
 11. The diaper bag, as recited in claim 9, where said means for closing said lid flaps is a pair of hook and loop connectors. 